reek 1 of 2

noun

ˈrēk How to pronounce reek (audio)
Definition of reeknext
1
as in stench
a strong unpleasant smell a terrible reek coming from the garbage can

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in haze
an atmospheric condition in which suspended particles in the air rob it of its transparency couldn't see through the reek of smog and smoke surrounding the steel plant

Synonyms & Similar Words

reek

2 of 2

verb

as in to smell
to give off an extremely unpleasant smell those old sneakers reek something awful

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of reek
Noun
Immigrants held at Alligator Alcatraz have reported scarcity of food, cages that reek of urine and use of force. — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026 Dogs reek of burning plastic The ordinance generally references the burning of household waste and garbage. — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 20 May 2026
Verb
The Phillies still trailed, and the move reeked of desperation from Mattingly, who is desperate because his team cannot score runs. — Matt Gelb, New York Times, 31 May 2026 Today, a checkerboard of subdivisions crosses east to west, and the remaining grasslands are buried each day under reeking asphalt and rolls of turfgrass. — Maggie Slepian, Longreads, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for reek
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reek
  1. stench
  2. haze
  3. smell
  4. fog
  5. stink
  6. cloud
  7. mist
Noun
  • The overwhelming stench lingered for weeks, and health officials routinely reminded Kansas Citians that the odor did not carry any disease.
    — Kansas City Public Library staff, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
  • Lineage officials said that their top priority as of Monday night was addressing the stench permeating over Boyle Heights due to the spoiled food.
    — Austin Turner, CBS News, 29 June 2026
Definition of stench
Noun
  • But this version of Zorro leans instead into broad comedy and an even broader vintage aesthetic including day-for-night shooting and a general soft-focus haze.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2026
  • Smoke from the fire has been pushing to the east and northeast, meaning the air quality at popular vacation spots like Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks — which are located far south of the flames — hasn’t been significantly affected beyond some haze sinking into the Bryce area.
    — Kathy McCormack, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
Definition of haze
Verb
  • When choosing a fresh pineapple, look for one that feels heavy and smells lightly sweet near the base.
    — Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 3 July 2026
  • Mild scurvy caused bleeding gums, tooth loss and foul-smelling breath.
    — Katherine Ott, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
Definition of smell
Noun
  • When Ian Happ made the final out of the frame, the umpires convened and called a delay, a rare stoppage because of the fog-shrouded Wrigley Field.
    — Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • Dense fog shrouded the Golden Gate Bridge and masked the city's fireworks display.
    — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Definition of fog
Verb
  • Also, more significantly, Trump’s approval ratings — in a word — stink.
    — Mark Barabak, Mercury News, 20 June 2026
  • Otherwise the food may rot or the dust collection bag will grow mold, causing your vacuum to stink.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 June 2026
Definition of stink
Noun
  • On July 3, Arcade made its agent authorization and tool-execution runtime available through the Microsoft Azure and AWS marketplaces, so enterprises can deploy it inside their own cloud with one click.
    — Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • To try Adidas’s cloud-like designs for yourself, consider these Ultraboost running sneakers.
    — Isabel Bekele, InStyle, 6 July 2026
Definition of cloud
Noun
  • Water jets sprayed mist onto the crowd of mourners, who mostly wore black, with temperatures set to reach 36 degrees Celsius (97 degrees Fahrenheit), according to a forecast from the UK’s Met Office.
    — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • Similar to aromatherapy, this relief comes in the form of a mist or spray that mimics a mother’s natural pheromones to offer a sense of safety and protection.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 2 July 2026
Definition of mist

Browse Nearby Words

reefs
reek
reeked
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Cite this Entry

“Reek.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reek. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of reek for Spanish Speakers

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